VIABILITY OF HOME PERITONEAL DIALYSIS: EXPERIENCE WITH 100 PATIENTS FROM AN ARAB POPULATION

♦ Background: The viability of home peritoneal dialysis (HPD) is being debated in Arab countries. We therefore undertook the present study to assess the viability of HPD in the Arab culture. ♦ Patients and Methods: A total of 100 patients with endstage renal failure were treated with HPD during the period January 1996 to October 2001. ♦ Results: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was performed in 81 patients (81%), and nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD) in 19 patients (19%). The patient group included 54 men (54%) and 46 women (46%) with a mean age of 54.94 ± 14.58 years. They were followed for a total of 2118.3 patient‐treatment months and had a mean dialysis duration of 21.2 ± 9.97 months. Peritonitis occurred at the rates of 1 episode every 18.5 patient‐treatment months (Bieffe L3 double-bag system: Bieffe Medital, Grosotto, Italy), 1 episode every 22.5 patient‐treatment months (ANDY Plus system: Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany), and 1 episode every 23.7 patient‐treatment months (NIPD system Fresenius PD-Night: Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany). Recurrent peritonitis was the main reason (70.6%) for transfer to hemodialysis. A good level of social well-being and rehabilitation was achieved in 49 patients on CAPD (60.5%) and 13 patients on NIPD (68.4%). ♦ Conclusions: We conclude that HPD is a viable modality of renal replacement therapy in Arab countries. By adopting a strict training model, the peritoneal dialysis team can train even patients or caregivers with limited education, preventing peritonitis and promoting the general well-being of patients.